F1 hopes halo effect will protect racers. Seb ran the alternative device to the halo (the Shield) at Silverstone.

Formula One cars will look radically different next championship after the sport’s governing body confirmed that the controversial cockpit safety device known as the halo is to become mandatory. Following a meeting of the sport’s major players in Geneva on Wednesday, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) revealed that it has given the go-ahead to introduce the concept next year. The governing body for many auto racing events has searched for extra head protection for drivers in the last two years following the deaths of F1 driver Jules Bianchi and IndyCar racer Justin Wilson.

The halo was first tested by Scuderia Ferrari last year, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner describing it as “an ugly solution”. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton said the halo, designed to block debris, was the “worst-looking modification” in the sport’s history. The three-time world champion changed his mind after a safety presentation but the aesthetics of the device, with its three prongs which run at about head height around the cockpit, has courted criticism.

The halo was tested by all 10 Formula One teams at different stages during last year.

In a statement the FIA confirmed the halo’s introduction for the 2018 Formula One season and explaind: “With the support of the teams, certain features of its design will be further enhanced. Having developed and evaluated a large number of devices over the past five years, it had become clear the halo presents the best overall safety performance.” – the official statement informed.

However, the influential Autosport magazine claimed that the majority of the 10 teams present at Wednesday’s meeting voted against the halo, with the FIA pushing it through on safety grounds. Scuderia Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel ran just one lap with the so-called “Shield” – an alternative device to the halo – fixed to his SF70H car during practice at the British Grand Prix last Friday, but decided to cut short the trial complaining of dizziness and lack of visibility.